On Saturday afternoon, Bayern Munich will look to keep their slim Bundesliga title hopes alive when they host struggling Mainz at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern can’t afford any more slip-upsThe Bavarians booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by recording a 3-0 home win over Lazio. Harry Kane scored a brace, and Thomas Muller also got on the scoresheet, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory.
The men from Munich are big outsiders to win the Bundesliga title. They are second in the table, ten points adrift of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen, and can’t afford any more slip-ups if they are to have any chance of catching Xabi Alonso’s team.
The win last time out means that Thomas Tuchel’s team are unbeaten in three games in all competitions, having recorded two wins and a draw. However, they have won only one of their last four games in the Bundesliga.
Despite their inconsistent recent league form, Bayern Munich has a strong home record in the German top flight. The Bavarians have won nine of their last ten home games in the Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena.
Mainz is in major troubleThe 05ers' poor run of form continued with a 1-1 home draw against Monchengladbach. Mainz has now won just one of their last 14 matches in the Bundesliga.
Mainz struggles has them 17th place in the table, nine points adrift of the safety of 15th place.
The game against the Foals was another low-scoring encounter, as 13 of their last 15 matches in the German top-flight have produced under 2.5 goals.
The visitors have been woeful travellers, failing to win in their last 16 away games in the Bundesliga while suffering three straight defeats on the road.
What am I backing?Bayern Munich may not have been in great form recently, but they are formidable on home soil, and I am backing the Bavarians to record a home victory.
